Wow, I got more reviews than expected. I thought I'd only get about 2. XD
Glaciershine: Uh, thanks.
Josh: What? When did I make fun of Warrior name fics? They're against the ToS, which you should read before you post any stories to make sure you're not breaking it. But I'm sure reading is too hard for your level. –eyeroll-
Heartsong: Well, I guess. As a kit, Tigerkit was hyper and happier than any other kit, because he and Spottedkit were very, very close. I suppose he made her promise a million times that they'd try to be together at all times.
DanaeMari: Thank you.
Falling: Oh, yeah. –sweatdrop- I guess I should fix that later. I just wanted Bluepaw to have maybe a friend with her. Being an only apprentice, like Birchpaw would've been, is very rare, apparently.
Tigerstar's POV now. This is kind of like Tigerstar is talking to Spottedleaf, or something. Enjoy!
--
Remember when we were kits, when we made a promise to train together and be happy?
I remember.
Remember when you promised? When you said those words, "I promise, Tigerkit"?
I remember.
I'm sure you remember as well.
Now I wonder what you think of me. Do you think of me as a heartless, cold, violent terrorist? Or as a brave, strong, ambitious brother?
Even as a kit, I thought about the possibilities of becoming deputy, or even leader. I loved that thought, and I hung onto it when my apprentice ceremony came around.
Did I ever tell you? Of course I did. You wanted to be my deputy. But then things changed…and you started talking nonsense about medicine cats. I reminded you of our promise, and you quit the foolishness. You would train with me, if your life depended on it. I couldn't bear to see you training as a medicine cat, and me as a warrior. We'd never see each other's progress, and you could never be my deputy.
But there you went, becoming Spottedpaw, becoming a medicine cat apprentice. As I, Tigerpaw, watched you learn about herbs and StarClan and such, I was learning how to hunt and fight. Surely I was having a better time training than you were?
No.
Why would I? I was alone. Bluepaw became a warrior a moon after I became an apprentice. You remember, don't you? Bluepaw's warrior ceremony? That evening when we finally got to talk to each other. That evening when we fought.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey meet beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" There was Owlstar's call. I was just returning to camp with a mouse and a starling in my jaws. It was a fine new-leaf evening. The air was cool and windy, and it ruffled my dark tabby fur, showing my still developing muscles.
And there you were. I could spot your beautiful dark dappled pelt from a crowd of tortoiseshells. Yours was…different. Prettier. Sleeker. Darker. I loved it. You got that from Mother.
"Bluepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Owlstar asked Bluepaw. The blue-gray apprentice's eyes shone with excitement. Beside me, Moonflower sat up straight and purred with pride for her daughter.
"I do," was Bluepaw's response.
I inched my way closer to you. You were sitting beside Featherwhisker, staring directly at Bluepaw. "Spottedpaw!" I poked you with a paw. You turned. I noticed your face brighten up in delight. You scooted a bit closer to Featherwhisker, making room for me to sit next to you.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name." Owlstar lifted his head and gazed at the faint stars popping out of a sheet of black sky. "You will be known as Bluefur. StarClan honor your courage and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
"Bluefur! Bluefur!" The Clan cheered as Bluefur licked Owlstar's shoulder respectfully.
The ceremony was over. The warriors crept to their dens. Thistleclaw took his stand at the camp entrance. Owlstar and Sunstripe leapt off the Highrock and hurried to the leader's den to chat. Featherwhisker made his way into the medicine cat's den.
You were about to follow Featherwhisker, but I placed my paw on your tail. You stood and fell to your paws. "Ouch! Tigerpaw!" You glared at me. "What do you need?"
"I…I'm sorry for blowing up at you," I muttered. "But you shouldn't have broken your promise. Why didn't you tell me you wanted to be a medicine cat?"
You stared at me, unblinking. That reminded me of Owlstar, with his huge amber eyes that stared everywhere without blinking. I wondered how he did that, instead of wondering what your reply would be.
"Because!" You swung your head around and stared at your white paws. "When I said I wanted to be your medicine cat, I meant it! Then you reminded me of our promise…and all the thoughts of being a medicine cat shattered right out of my head…and then when I saw Featherwhisker…he was…he needed help…"
"Spottedpaw." I stopped you. "What in the name of StarClan are you talking about?"
"He needed to tend to a sick kit, but he needed herbs," you stammered, the words pouring out of your mouth like a creek. "He needed help. All those dreams and thoughts about being a medicine cat…they all crept back into my head. I was scared to tell you because…I didn't know if you would like it. I couldn't…I…can't think of us not being friends. I was scared. Just…I was scared!"
"You don't have any reason to be scared of me," I snarled. "You listen to me, and you listen well. Promises aren't meant to be broken, you understand that? You should've TOLD me! Don't you understand that, you mousebrain! You don't understand how I feel about you being a medicine cat! You didn't understand! You didn't care! You're such a piece of foxdung! You will rue the day you ever became apprenticed, you hear me? I…hate…you!"
My breath came out in ragged gasps as I choked out those words. Rage and loneliness rose into my chest and turned as cold as ice, as if it was freezing my heart. You looked terrified and sad. I dug my claws into the soot and repeated, "I…hate you!"
Well, did you ever even wonder if I really meant those words? No. You never cared, did you?
What do you think of me now? Killing off innocent cats that get in my way?
Did you just mouth 'Stonefur'? He didn't get in my way, but half-Clans are unacceptable.
Yes, he could have helped it, you badgerbrain. Don't question me! I don't question you. Well, maybe I just did. But don't question me.
We'll have to figure this out some other time. I hear Darkstripe calling me. Isn't that Bluestar, just behind you?
Good-bye, Spottedleaf.
You…did you just say what I thought you said? Really, you mean it? Even if it's my fault you died? Okay, well…
I guess…
I love you too.
--
Gah, sorry it's so long. I kind of like the ending for once. I am the Queen of Bad Endings, after all. Well, thanks for reading the…two-shot. XD
xx-Starfall-xx